The United Reformed Church, Middle Wall, Whitstable CT5 1BW
7.30pm (doors open at 7pm for refreshments)
The second Tuesday of each month
Except: January/August – No meeting
Visitors welcome: £5 for each meeting
Future Meeting Dates for your Diary
- 10th February 2026
- 10th March 2026
- 14th April 2026
- 12th May 2026
- 9th June 2026
- 14th July 2026
- 8th September 2026
- 13th October 2026
- 10th November 2026
- 8th December 2026
Speakers and Competitions for 2026
Every month at our meetings we hold a flower and produce competition. This year, we’ve added brand new classes to the traditional ones. You have the choice of either submitting one of the traditional flower entry themes or ‘seasonal fruit or veg.’ or having a go at our new class, based on a book, film or song. We’ve suggested a few titles below, or come up with your own, appropriate to the season. To get your creative juices flowing, we’ll be inviting entries for:
- 🥕 Vegetable and Fruit Characters – bring your produce to life with personality and flair!
- 📚 Book & Film Inspired Displays – think Cider with Rosie, The Secret Garden, or A Christmas Carol.
- 🌼 Ikebana Arrangement– the elegant Japanese art of flower arranging, focusing on balance and harmony. (Think less about filling a vase with masses of blooms and more about creating an artistic composition featuring just a few stems, leaves and/or flowers.)
See full list of themes for 2026 in the monthly meeting boxes below.
February
Speaker
10th February – Tony Kirkham:
My Passion for Trees
Tony Kirkham MBE VMH is the former Head of Arboretum, Gardens & Horticulture Services, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Competition
(click boxes for info)
Winter foliage
Wuthering Heights
In the Bleak Mid-Winter
March
Speaker
10th March – Chris Spree:
Exhibition Veg – A Journey from Soil to Hydroponics
Chris is from The National Vegetable Society
Competition
(click boxes for info)
Bulbs
Book/film/song of your choice
Book/film/song of your choice
April
Speaker
14th April – Paul Twyman:
50 Years of Knowledge
Head Gardener at Michael Yoakley’s Charity
Competition
(click boxes for info)
Seasonal or wild flowers in a jam jar
Great Expectations
Peter Rabbit
May
Speaker
12th May – Dr Clive Nuttman:
The Weird and Wonderful World of Pollinators
Dr Nuttman is a biologist and environmental educator
Competition
(click boxes for info)
Spring tied posy
The Secret Garden
James & The Giant Peach
June
Speaker
9th June – Philip Oostenbrink:
Botanising in Japan
Head Gardener – Walmer Castle and Gardens, English Heritage
Philip Oostenbrink has been Head Gardener at Walmer Castle and Gardens (English Heritage) since June 2020. Previously, he was Head Gardener at Canterbury Cathedral. He is well known for his expertise on jungle gardens.
Competition
(click boxes for info)
Roses
Own choice
Own choice
July
Speaker
14th July – Paul Bagshaw: Head Gardener at The Gardens at Goodnestone
Paul graduated with a degree in Environmental Studies before working for the Environment Agency as a Freshwater Ecologist and Microbiologist. This was interspersed with travel and work on various voluntary conservation projects in different parts of the world.
Paul began as a gardener at Goodnestone Park and became the Head Gardener in 2008. He gains great satisfaction from working in the gardens at Goodnestone and from continuing its horticultural development. Of equal importance to Paul is the sustainable management of the garden and the conservation of the diverse native flora and fauna found within it and the surrounding estate.
Competition
(click boxes for info)
Sweat Peas
Ladies in Lavender Or The Blue Dahlia
Blueberry Hill or Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistlestop Café
September
Speaker
8th September – Lorraine Caley of Caley Brothers
Grow your own Mushrooms
We are two sisters passionate about all aspects of growing good quality, sustainable, and delicious mushrooms.
https://www.caleybrothers.co.uk/
Competition
(click boxes for info)
Dahlias
Own choice
Fruit or Vegetable Characters
October
Speaker
13th October – Ylva Mackenzie: Madrona Nursery
A Plants Woman’s Choice
Ylva started her career in Sweden, Finland & Germany. She has worked on a variety of projects, spanning designs of private gardens and urban planning. In 1996, Ylva joined Madrona. The nursery offers customers a wide range of unusual trees, shrubs, perennials, ferns and grasses. The Nursery specialises in rare cultivars and species, some unique to the nursery.
Competition
(click boxes for info)
Autumnal display
Vegetable and flower bouquet
Vegetable and flower bouquet
November
Speaker
10th November – James Pashley:
Medicinal Plants for Different Systems of the Body
James has worked in Horticulture for many years as a Lecturer and Head Gardener.
Competition
(click boxes for info)
Dried seed heads
Ikebana (Japanese style arrangement)
Ikebana (Japanese style arrangement)
December
Speaker
8th December – AGM and Social:
Plus our annual quiz!
Join us for a succinct AGM then onto our quiz. Nibbles and drinks provided.
Competition
(click boxes for info)
Christmas arrangement
A Christmas Carol or other festive title
A Christmas Carol or other festive title